Backup camera install in Seattle

[NitroBiz]

Looking to get a quote for a backup camera installed. Does anyone have someone or somewhere that they trust they could refer?

[CjM3]

Why waste the money? Can you not turn your head?

[NitroBiz]

Originally Posted by CjM3

Why waste the money? Can you not turn your head?

Yes, but I rather not risk it. Once you've had a backup camera it's hard not having one.

[jiggz]

Originally Posted by CjM3

Why waste the money? Can you not turn your head?

LOL, so true.

Originally Posted by NitroBiz

Yes, but I rather not risk it. Once you've had a backup camera it's hard not having one.

Also true. I was planning to do the Bimmertech full OEM integrated back-up camera, but the cost for that setup + install...I just decided it was too expensive for how little I drive my car, and I'd never get much of the $ back when it came time to sell. If it were a bigger car/SUV maybe I'd do it, but this car is pretty small.

But agree, once you have a backup camera, it's sometimes annoying to not have one on this car.

The top rated Seattle area shop for mobile audio is Ballard Custom Audio (link below), and their website states they do backup camera installation. I have no personal experience with them, but that's where I'd start. If you're going with Bimmertech, they referred me to a local guy who's apparently trained to install the OEM stuff, but he wasn't affiliated with a shop or anything, sounded like he worked out of his garage. Another reason I eventually just passed on the whole idea.

http://ballardcustomaudio.com

[notouching]

OP, does your car not have rear PDC?

[NitroBiz]

Originally Posted by jiggz

LOL, so true.

Also true. I was planning to do the Bimmertech full OEM integrated back-up camera, but the cost for that setup + install...I just decided it was too expensive for how little I drive my car, and I'd never get much of the $ back when it came time to sell. If it were a bigger car/SUV maybe I'd do it, but this car is pretty small.

But agree, once you have a backup camera, it's sometimes annoying to not have one on this car.

The top rated Seattle area shop for mobile audio is Ballard Custom Audio (link below), and their website states they do backup camera installation. I have no personal experience with them, but that's where I'd start. If you're going with Bimmertech, they referred me to a local guy who's apparently trained to install the OEM stuff, but he wasn't affiliated with a shop or anything, sounded like he worked out of his garage. Another reason I eventually just passed on the whole idea.

http://ballardcustomaudio.com

The Bimmertech OEM looks to be the best on the market but the price is too high!

[NitroBiz]

Originally Posted by notouching

OP, does your car not have rear PDC?

It does.

[jiggz]

Originally Posted by NitroBiz

It does.

If you didn't have PDC then yes I could see looking into a backup camera, but otherwise it's a lot of $ to spend unless you do a cheap unit. The PDC is plenty good on a small car, IMO.

You should read up on this forum about backup cameras, if you haven't already. There's a lot of people who've done them, and there's oftentimes a glitch of some sort that people are trying to troubleshoot, either with the backup camera itself or the install F'd up something else. That's why I was going OEM or nothing at all. I'm sure there's some members with aftermarket units w/ no issues, but too many posts on here about backup camera issues. It looks to be a fairly invasive install, regardless of how seamless these websites make it look/sound.

Keep us posted on what you do though - good luck!

[NitroBiz]

Originally Posted by jiggz

If you didn't have PDC then yes I could see looking into a backup camera, but otherwise it's a lot of $ to spend unless you do a cheap unit. The PDC is plenty good on a small car, IMO.

You should read up on this forum about backup cameras, if you haven't already. There's a lot of people who've done them, and there's oftentimes a glitch of some sort that people are trying to troubleshoot, either with the backup camera itself or the install F'd up something else. That's why I was going OEM or nothing at all. I'm sure there's some members with aftermarket units w/ no issues, but too many posts on here about backup camera issues. It looks to be a fairly invasive install, regardless of how seamless these websites make it look/sound.

Keep us posted on what you do though - good luck!

I just got quoted by Ballard Custom Auto of $1300 for the backup camera. That is outrageous!

[E90Burgos]

You can get a MMI that integrates into your existing idrive along with a trunk handle reverse camera for about $300 total. It will trigger the MMI when you go into reverse and the camera along with PDC will come up. Any audio shop can install it in about 2.5 hours. Would be waaaaaaaay less than $1300 and be indistinguishable from OEM.

[jiggz]

Originally Posted by NitroBiz

I just got quoted by Ballard Custom Auto of $1300 for the backup camera. That is outrageous!

That's parts + labor? Which unit?

[NitroBiz]

Originally Posted by jiggz

That's parts + labor? Which unit?

Yes, they didn't say which unit

[notouching]

I have friends that swear by this license plate frame camera: https://www.amazon.com/Pearl-RearVis.../dp/B01M065WRC
If you use your phone for Waze/music anyway, this might be a good option.

[seattlem3e92]

$1300?! Save it for some shiny wheels lol

[NitroBiz]

Originally Posted by seattlem3e92

$1300?! Save it for some shiny wheels lol

Ya! $1300 for a backup camera that may cost $25 or so to manufacture. Their price is insane!

[seattlem3e92]

Originally Posted by notouching

I have friends that swear by this license plate frame camera: https://www.amazon.com/Pearl-RearVis.../dp/B01M065WRC
If you use your phone for Waze/music anyway, this might be a good option.

Ouu this looks like a nice alternative.

[NitroBiz]

Originally Posted by notouching

I have friends that swear by this license plate frame camera: https://www.amazon.com/Pearl-RearVis.../dp/B01M065WRC
If you use your phone for Waze/music anyway, this might be a good option.

Yeah, I think I've seen those and they look like a pretty good alternative. However I wanted something that fit in the trunk latch so it is hidden as much as possible. I was thinking about going to visit Car Toys but they don't have much of a good reputation.

[shimmy23]

I've done a trunk latch install on an audi and its not difficult. Is there a kit you have in mind?

I would echo the comments above about 'overseas' units being crap and having issues. I had an OEM rep on my audi and it looked OEM for sure, but there were rare occasions when it would black out.

[NitroBiz]

Originally Posted by shimmy23

I've done a trunk latch install on an audi and its not difficult. Is there a kit you have in mind?

I would echo the comments above about 'overseas' units being crap and having issues. I had an OEM rep on my audi and it looked OEM for sure, but there were rare occasions when it would black out.

No I don't, I'm looking for guidance

[shimmy23]

If you don’t mind a drive musicarNW in Portland sells the modmynav back up interface. It will show dynamic lines with a split screen and PDC

[NitroBiz]

Originally Posted by shimmy23

If you don’t mind a drive musicarNW in Portland sells the modmynav back up interface. It will show dynamic lines with a split screen and PDC

How much?

[NitroBiz]

Originally Posted by shimmy23

If you don’t mind a drive musicarNW in Portland sells the modmynav back up interface. It will show dynamic lines with a split screen and PDC

Called them today and was quoted more than Bimmertech.